This is where New York City’s most outrageously attired club kids come to get kitted out, and Joni, dressed in a pair of fluffy purple mukluks, purple spandex, a fur coat and giant pink and black tiger-striped shades, fits right in.

Skipping Club was founded earlier this year after Joni found herself “accidentally” skipping in the street (“I wanted to get to my nail appointment faster!”), and realized how much fun she was having. Ever since, a group of similarly joyous skippers has met as often as once a week to spread “joy, love and positivity” through the streets.

Usually themed (this week it’s Joni’s birthday, so I have donned my “Soy La Fiesta” t-shirt), the idea is simply to skip from one location to the next, whooping and whistling all the way, to a soundtrack provided by Joni’s portable Coca Cola speaker.

Billed as part workout, part street party, I had no idea what to expect, but her regulars (including a civil engineer named Chris who skips—pun intended—work to attend every time) tell me they’ve become addicted to the feel good vibes.

“You can’t help smiling when you’re skipping,” says Rozina, a full time mom and dedicated Skipping Club skipper from day one. “The thing is most of us never do it after the age of, like, five.”

Soon enough it’s time to head on out, and before I know it I’m skipping along behind Joni whose long legs and extra-bouncy step mean she keeps a mean pace. My calves are feeling the burn before long, but I’m having too much fun to notice. It's like skipping has unlocked that five-year-old part of me.

People stop and stare, but we don’t care. A guy in a truck toots his horn and we whoop back at him. In fact, Joni shouts from up front; “You’re making peoples’ day!”

Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is at the forefront of it all. She's a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous, but best of all is that Ruby is also a feature writer for the lululemon blog.

What’s the most fun you can have on the way to work? If you lived in London and your commute took you through the East End on a monthly Wednesday, then you could do a lot worse than new alcohol-free dance party Morning Glory.

The brainchild of events producer Sam Moyo and body worker Nico Thoemmes, it's an idea that North Americans could also rally around. The party rages from 6.30am to 10.30am and has so far been attracting a diverse crowd of city workers, media folk, artists, dancers and pretty much anyone up for rockin’ start to their workday.

The organizers promise yoga mats, massage therapists, super food smoothies and “really good coffee” to help get partygoers’ systems in gear, and say a good dance first thing the best way to clear creative blocks. I asked Sam Moyo a few questions about this genius idea.

How did you come up with this idea?
We both love to party, but felt that it needed a ‘conscious facelift’—we wanted to challenge the cultural notion that alcohol, drugs and partying always went together.

Why is it a good idea to rave on your way to work?
So many people go to the gym before, so why not get up and have a dance instead? Morning Glory is also successful because of the unbelievable positive energy that manifests in the room. It’s electric. Our favourite moment so far was listening to a guest who told she had jaw ache from grinning so much.

What kind of music do your DJs play and why?
We have a really varied approach to the music we program because our community’s taste is so varied. Rob da Bank is headlining our next event, but one thing that all our music has in common is it’s highly danceable.

Do you always start the day with a dance yourselves?
Often, yes. The other day we were struggling with some documents and we ended up ditching the laptops and having a full on dance on Portobello Road to some soul pumping out of a local record seller’s stall. If your day isn’t flowing, we say give it a go!

Find out more about upcoming Morning Glory events on Twitter and on Facebook.

Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is at the forefront of it all. She's a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous, but best of all is that Ruby is also a feature writer for the lululemon blog.

When the Smithsonian Institution’s Yoga: The Art of Transformation opens in Washington DC this Friday it will be the first museum exhibit to explore the visual history of a tradition that spans 2000 years.

Debra Diamond, the woman tasked with the epic mission of curating the show, which will also travel to San Francisco and Cleveland in 2014, shares with us some of the findings from her journey.

What crossovers did you find in the way yoga has been practised over the ages and how we practise in the West today?
“Heightened consciousness and a supple body are goals of both earlier and contemporary yoga practices. And the important role of teachers, including teachers in lineages, is another point of continuity.”

What makes these ancient stories and works of art relevant to modern yogis?
“So many modern yogis want to know more about the depth of yoga and the history of their practise. For examples, some are motivated to work with the concepts of transformation or creativity, others look for archetypes in powerful female yoginis from history, some love and find inspiration in the art, and many more are really curious about the transformations that took place in the early 20th century, when modern yoga emerged in India.”

What were some of the more unusual practices you came across curating the project?
“When we think of modern yoga, our landscape includes the many studios and teachers from which practitioners can pick and choose. But what were the options in the past? Some of these are unusual by today's standards: they include hatha yoga practices that lead to the ability to fly, or the goal of becoming a deity, practices that took place in cremation grounds, and the option of becoming an armed ascetic (to protect members of one's lineage while they traveled or to get a gig as a mercenary).”

And the most simplistic?
“Gosh, I don't think anything about yoga is casual or simplistic! It seems that meditation and [postures of] stillness are the most enduring of yoga practices, though even meditation isn't a part of every yoga tradition.”

Why are you so passionate about yoga personally?
“Two reasons: because of its personal potential (to deepen consciousness, to gain greater equanimity, etc.) and because I am an historian. The latter led me to become aware that we don't today know the breadth of traditional yoga practices and I love researching and uncovering those hidden histories.”

How would you describe your own practise?
“I really should describe myself as lapsed! In the last year, I've focused almost every waking moment on learning more about yoga, about the artworks we are exhibiting and planning the exhibition – as opposed to actual time on the mat. I loved all that, and I think it has helped me gain greater respect for yoga. But it's fair to say that in general, my practice is meditation focused.”

Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is at the forefront of it all. She's a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous, but best of all is that Ruby is also a feature writer for the lululemon blog.

Three Aspects of the Absolute by Bulaki, India, 1823

Misbah the Grocer Brings the Spy Parran to his House attributed to Dasavanta and Mithra, India, ca. 1570

In my opinion, Robyn Youkilis has totally the right attitude toward healthy eating. As in, as well as being good for you, what you’re eating had better taste amazing. How else are you going to transform your attitude towards food in the long term? It’s all very well putting yourself on green juice and flax seed crackers as a quick fix, but seriously, you’re going to have to face those chocolate fudge sundae cravings at some point—and Robyn undoubtedly has just the (healthy) recipe for that. After all, this is the woman who taught me how to make a killer kale salad (hint: it’s all in the nutritional yeast).

As founder of Your Healthiest You, Robyn works with clients one-on-one to determine what dietary tweaks work best for each individual body. She also runs a seasonal members’ only cooking club and is co-founder of the Healthy Cooking Camp, because teaching you how to prepare convenient, nourishing, energy boosting food for yourself is a huge part of her deal. And now there’s good news for everyone who can't get to Robyn in person: kicking off October 16, she’s launching an online coaching course called The Rockstar Roadmap. It’s a week-by-week virtual guide expertly designed to teach you how to understand your body and its cravings, and how best to take care of yourself.

To get you thinking in the right direction, Robyn has put together a delicious and nutritious fall dinner party menu just for us.

Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is at the forefront of it all. She's a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous, but best of all is that Ruby is also a feature writer for the lululemon blog.

]]>http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-your-healthiest-dinner-party/feed/0ruby’s tuesday | a kundalini meditation for fallhttp://lululemon.com/community/blog/a-kundalini-meditation-for-fall/
http://lululemon.com/community/blog/a-kundalini-meditation-for-fall/#commentsTue, 01 Oct 2013 16:09:06 +0000http://blogadmin.lululemon.com/community/blog/?p=44324Kundalini yoga can be a little…odd. I had my first experience of the practise on a retreat in Ibiza three years ago, when, after the first 7am class of chanting, fire-breathing kriyas in an open-air, mountaintop location I was left wondering what on Earth I had signed up for. But by the end of the weekend, I couldn’t deny I felt sort of super-charged, like my spirit was truly connected to every breath I took and every word I spoke.

But it’s only since moving to New York that I’ve returned to kundalini. My good friend, the May Cause Miracles author Gabrielle Bernstein, took the teacher training earlier this year and incorporates it into her lectures, and the Sunday afternoon class at the Golden Bridge studio in Soho has become a sort of reset button to set the tone for my week ahead.

I love the way the practise makes me feel so vibrant and alive, so confident in myself. I’ve also experienced some powerful visions about areas of my life that needed healing on my kundalini mat (I actually wrote about this here).

I also like the fact you can do some of the more simple meditations any time and anywhere, to energise your body and mind or bring a moment of clarity or peace to your day. This is why it’s known as the “yoga of the householder” – meaning it’s available to anyone and everyone, at any time.

My teacher at Golden Bridge is a beautiful man named Amanbir Singh, who brings such lightness and humour to class that it’s a joy to listen to him talk. So when I decided to film a series of kundalini meditations for my website, www.thenuminous.net, who better to ask?

And so the first in the series is a kundalini meditation for fall, a simple breathing technique to restore balance in times of flux. As our bodies adjust to the changing seasons, I hope it helps you on the path to equilibrium. Sat nam.

Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is at the forefront of it all. She's a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous, but best of all is that Ruby is also a feature writer for the lululemon blog.

Sunday’s autumn equinox, when the seasons came into balance, felt like the perfect time to check out Nikki Koch’s Hangover Yoga session at The Cobra Club in Bushwick, Brooklyn. A gentle, restorative class with emphasis on long, slow ujjayi ocean breathing, it’s designed to help your system recover the morning after a big night before. Oh, and a Bloody Mary or Mimosa is included in the drop-in price. Yes, The Cobra Club is a bar with a yoga studio attached. Genius.

Class started at the very civilised hour of 1pm, and we settled in armed with bolsters, blocks and blankets. In fact, I wasn’t out drinking the night before, but I have had some seriously stressful deadline situations going on lately, so my system has been taxed in other ways.

Happily, there definitely wasn’t any weight-bearing or balancing poses going on. “We also avoid downward dog, for obvious reasons,” says Nikki, who opened the studio in June 2012. “Being upside-down does not feel good when you’re hungover.”

Instead, Nikki guided us through a series of slow and relaxing mat-based asanas including some seated twists, a gentle bridge (“moving your hips up and down helps settle your stomach”) and a short rest in pigeon—“really great, because you also get a light massage from your foot pressing into your stomach if you’re having any issues there.”

We finished with a long, supported savasana (read: opportunity to totally zone out while tucked up under a blanket). And all to a playlist featuring acoustic versions of classic rock records. “I love artists like Nirvana, The Misfits and Johnny Cash, and played the right way they can still help you get into that meditative state,” explains Nikki.

It all fits seamlessly with the whole Hangover Yoga ethos. “We felt it was important to have a class on the schedule that recognised we’re all human,” says Nikki. “So maybe you had a couple of drinks last night—you can come here and feel better without feeling guilty about having a social life too.”

And speaking of being guilt-free, those Bloody Marys were large, spicy, and so delicious that I had two.

Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is at the forefront of it all. She's a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous, but best of all is that Ruby is also a feature writer for the lululemon blog.

Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is at the forefront of it all. She's a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous, but best of all is that Ruby is also a feature writer for the lululemon blog.

I recently came across the coolest video online (click play above to have a look!) advertising Amber Krzys’s 56-day Rock Your Body Challenge. Amber’s whole approach to body transformation is based on the idea that learning to love and appreciate yourself is the fast track to looking and feeling great. As she puts it, “I don't focus on weight loss. I focus on [you] forming a friendship with your body so you actually find yourself wanting to take care of it.”

But aside from this totally rad way of pitching a fitness program, the 56-day aspect keys into a major trend in approaches to wellness—the rise of the challenge.

From fitness to yoga and meditation, putting a number on it is emerging as the way to motivate people. Marathon trainers always have a deadline to work towards, and now everybody can benefit from the boost of having a finish line in sight whether it’s a new body, a new mind, or even a new life they want.

Self-help author Gabrielle Bernstein’s recent best-seller May Cause Miracles was also presented as “A 40-Day Guidebook of Subtle Shifts for Radical Change and Unlimited Happiness.” As she points out, “Metaphysicians and yogis place much emphasis on the repetition of a 40-day practise, and research has shown that after repeating a new pattern for 40 days you can change the neural pathways in your brain to create long-lasting change.”

According to Amber Krzys, she chose 56 days for her program because “it’s long enough to really challenge someone. A big part of it is about stretching out of your comfort zone, because that’s where life happens. But it’s also a short enough time period for anybody to commit to.”

She says the other benefits of billing her “online, global body love fest” as an eight-week course is “knowing the commitment period up front is supportive for people. They can then determine if they are ready to fully invest in themselves for the set amount of time.”

If you’re in the market to turn over a new leaf this fall, it’s a great head space from where to begin. So, what will you challenge yourself to today?

Rock Your Body 56-day challenge
what: an eight-week love-yourself-love-your-body total coaching workshop
why: designed to totally overhaul any negative thought patterns that might be holding you back from achieving your fitness and body-image goals; joining this online community of women supporting women is designed to radically shift your perspective and unlock inner confidence.
when: the next official Rock Your Body Challenge kick-off call is September 26.www.rockyourbodychallenge.com

Bikram 30-day challenge
what: 30 classes in 30 days, offered as a discounted package by most Bikram yoga studios
why: as much as the hot yoga hard core say that it takes 90 consecutive days of Bikram to achieve a brand new body, bones to skin, it’s generally accepted that this is a pretty unrealistic commitment for people living in the real world. Therefore, 30 days is generally recognised as long enough to lose weight, gain stamina and radically improve your practise.
when: whenever you can find the space in your diary for a 90-minute daily practise (plus hair washing, studio schlepping and time for rolling out sore muscles).

Deepak Chopra 21-day meditation challenge
what: presented by Deepak and Oprah Winfrey, join in with a daily 15-minute guided meditation session.
why: they describe the three-week course as a “transformational journey,” and the challenge is designed to help instill a regular meditation practise in your life. Each challenge is also designed to help focus on one area of your life that you want to address—most recently the focus was on relationships.
when: details of the next live challenge are tba, but you can purchase the most recent course on-demand. Live challenges are free to join.www.chopracentermeditation.com

Insanity 60-day workout
what: it's been called “the no.1 workout in America” and is presented as a DVD box-set of hard core 45-minute Max Interval training sessions (i.e. high-intensity interval training—or HIIT—without the breaks)
why: promising a year’s worth of results in just 60 days, the before and after pictures on the website speak for themselves. Think ripped abs, a total body fat attack and dramatic weight loss.
when: when you next have an all-action Hollywood blockbuster to get in shape for.www.beachbody.com

Baron Baptiste 40 Days to Personal Revolution
what: this 40-day program of guided meditations and yoga asanas can also be experienced online, and is supported by a motivational daily email from Baron and his team of teachers.
why: presenting yoga and meditation as a catalyst for profound physical and spiritual growth, “ultimately the yoga program found here is about developing a soulful perspective to the question I hear nearly every day: ‘How did I get into this state, and how can I get out?’”
when: the next online program will take place in January 2014.www.baronbaptiste.com

Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is the writer at the forefront of it all.

Ruby is a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous. Best of all, Ruby will be our feature writer for the lululemon blog.

I was aware that I should be drinking something green for breakfast for a long time, but I just couldn’t convince myself it was worth switching up from my favourite oatmeal until…I met the Hollywood nutritionist Kimberly Snyder. I interviewed Kim for the UK Sunday Times earlier this year, when her book, The Beauty Detox Solution, was being published there, and her argument for the green stuff was so persuasive my husband and I were downing her signature ‘Green Goddess Smoothie’ the very next morning. Lucky him. (In fact, he’s been thanking me ever since).

Why so convincing? Simply put, Kim’s philosophy is that you can’t look good on the outside without a thorough daily detox happening on the inside. In other words, get your greens, get less wrinkles, less cellulite, less zits, and more energy. So shallow, but that was me sold. And it really works. Kim is also fastidious on the science side, and explains everything in a totally digestible (pun intended) way. So much so, that she was also the woman who finally got me to give up dairy. And the results have been amazing.

As we head into a new season, with the farmers markets overflowing with fall produce, I caught up with her again to get some daily detox (and beauty boosting) pointers for the months ahead.

why is fall a good time to think about a detox?

The fall is a good time to get back into a routine of a healthy lifestyle after the summer months of traveling and indulging in things like ice cream (dairy) or hot dogs (processed meat). Now that you are back in the daily grind, it will be easy for you to set up a healthier diet that can be easily incorporated into your routine.

what are the top five detox foods to think about including in your diet now?

Here are my top five beauty detox foods:1. Cabbage
Cabbage is a perfect example that beauty foods don’t always have to be exotic, rare or even particularly beautiful themselves. Cabbage contains vitamins A, C and E, and it’s not commonly known that cabbages actually contain about 11 percent more vitamin C than oranges by weight, and that vitamin C is the super anti-aging nutrient that helps heal damaged tissues and minimize deep lines. Its vitamin A content is also useful in smoothing skin lines.2. Turmeric
Turmeric’s beautifying properties keep the red blood cells from clumping, promotes their formation, increases circulation and aids in tissue healing. Because it helps increase circulation via better blood flow, turmeric helps make the skin more glowing, supple and healthy looking. Because it cleanses the blood, it also helps prevent acne and skin disorders.3. Lemon
If you want clear, glowing and blemish-free skin, make sure lemons are part of your daily diet. Lemon aids with digestion by increasing the secretion of bile form the liver, while also acting as a strengthening agent for the liver’s enzymes. Any support to the liver, which is our primary detoxifying organ, is going to help clear up acne in the long run. Lemon is also a vitamin C-rich citrus fruit that helps bring a radiant glow to your complexion, fighting wrinkles and rejuvenating skin from within. It also contains the minerals calcium, potassium and magnesium.4. Figs
The tiny seeds of figs are packed with nutrients that help cleanse the digestive tract of toxins and mucus. Figs are one of nature’s best laxatives and are the top mucus-dissolving foods. Dissolving mucus, toxins and waste from the body and blood are vital to enhancing the inner glow that shows up in your face. Additionally, excess mucus in the digestive tract may be preventing vital nutrients from getting to the skin.5. Probiotic & Enzyme Salad (raw sauerkraut)
This salad is essentially raw sauerkraut or kimchi. I have my clients eat half a cup with dinner to help other foods digest better, and provide them with a wholefood-based source of probiotics and enzymes. These cultured foods promote better digestion, which help with the more efficient removal of toxins, which translates to better skin and higher energy.

why is eating seasonally so important, what are some great seasonal things to try?

Personally, I think that when we eat the fruits and vegetables that are in season at any given time we become more naturally beautiful, as we connect back to the earth around us and our natural source for food.

Eating seasonally is also better for us, as produce is at its peak nutritional value when it’s ripe. Fruits and vegetables that will be traveling long distances to market aren't picked when they are ripe, but before ripeness. While the produce might gain color and softness on its journey to the supermarket, nutritional value comes through the stem from the living plant. Once harvested, a vegetable is as nutritious as it’s going to get. And even worse, nutritional value actually decreases every day past harvest. So it just doesn’t taste as good nor is it as good for you. But the good news is…that nothing tastes better than freshly picked, ripe produce, which is available and affordably priced at our local markets!

Today, modern society makes it extremely easy to forget about the seasons and eat food that is nowhere close to being in season, but has been shipped from across the globe days or weeks ago. So ideally, check out your local farmer’s market. And if you eat in a restaurant, choose some specials or side dishes which are made of seasonal produce.

Here are some great items you can get at the farmer’s market RIGHT NOW (and easy ideas for what to do with them):

• Spinach - One of my favorite greens! I am making spinach salads all the time now, instead of kale. For a dressing I use: Olive oil, cayenne pepper, lemon, dulse, liquid Braggs amino acids, and nutritional yeast. You can throw in an avocado and sunflower sprouts for a hearty, extra yummy meal.

• Collard Greens - To substitute using flour or grain tortillas and to stuff with pates, salsa, etc.

• Celery - For green smoothies, and for taking stalks to work, to slather raw almond butter on as an easy snack.

• Apples - My faves are Honeycrisp and Gala. For smoothies or to eat fresh on their own.

• Cilantro - For green smoothies, or chopped to add a nice fresh taste in romaine salads, and for salsa.

• Arugula - One of the most alkalizing greens. A great salad base.

• Sunflower sprouts - These absolutely amazing, thick and happy sprouts are so energizing, that I snatch them up by the bagful wherever I see them.

have you got a favourite fall breakfast smoothie recipe?

My hero breakfast is my Glowing Green Smoothie. One glass of this alone is a great way to incorporate tremendous amounts of greens into your diet – far more than just eating your veggies. A serving of the GGS contains over three cups of dark leafy green vegetables, which is more than many people get in a week.

delicious! and what about a soup to throw together in your Vitamix, now the days are getting colder?
My Cauliflower Energy Soup is a great soup for this time of the year. It’s raw and easy to digest, and contains turmeric, which has wonderful anti-inflammatory and alkalizing qualities.
I like to warm it up to room temperature, which takes about 30 minutes or so out of the fridge, or you can warm it gently over the stove.

Cauliflower Energy Soup Recipe
(Makes about 4 servings)
Ingredients
1 medium head of cauliflower, with outer green leaves removed and chopped into pieces
3 Tbs. organic, unpasteurized miso paste (if you don’t have this you can just add more of the high quality sea salt at the end, adjusted to your taste)
½ ripe avocado
2 cups filtered water
Juice of 1 lemon
2 ½ Tbs. of low sodium tamari
½ tsp. turmeric
Chopped parsley, as a garnish
1 tsp. Himalayan Sea Salt
Instructions
Add all ingredients and blend until smooth before serving. If you’d like a thinner texture, try adding a bit more water.

how can the change in seasons affect our system, and what other things can we think about to support our body's natural detox processes?

Taking the right kind of probiotics is important to help strengthen immunity and balance in your system. Dry skin brushing is also effective for moving toxins out of your lymphatic system more efficiently. Saunas are great for supporting detoxification through your skin, as are enemas, which help remove waste with warm water.

The Beauty Detox Foods by Kimberly Snyder is out now.

]]>http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-detox-and-you-dont-stop/feed/4ruby’s tuesday | doing it in the darkhttp://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-doing-it-in-the-dark/
http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-doing-it-in-the-dark/#commentsFri, 16 Aug 2013 18:59:30 +0000http://blogadmin.lululemon.com/community/blog/?p=43370Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is the writer at the forefront of it all.

Ruby is a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous. Best of all, Ruby will be our feature writer for the lululemon blog. Here she learns what it's like to do it in the dark with yoga ambassador Goldie Kaufenberg.

Based out of Boston, MA, lululemon ambassador Goldie Kaufenberg’s black light yoga classes have gained cult status. Describing her flow as a ‘sexy, sweaty, deep’ vinyasa, she uses music to help her students ‘feel’ into the sequence. But what are her signature moves, and what kind of experience is she really hoping to create?

what makes for a 'sexy, sweaty, deep' vinyasa class?

In short; the atmosphere. Generally, this class is sold out on the amazing energy the good humans create. Add black lights, heat (generated primarily from the bodies around you), deliberate movement and some really sick beats and you've got a pretty sexy room full of moving bodies. It's kind of epic, and it's one of the highlights of my week.

what are your signature sequences and moves, and why do you go back to these?

Most who know me would say I'm a pretty active person. In Ayurveda I’m a ‘pita’, which means I crave the adrenaline push or the inversion kick, and order to balance this I try to stay grounded, literally. That translates into movements such as skandasana, or what I like to call ‘ninja’, malasana, goddess, and any forward bend where my hands and feet are grounded. I teach these poses regularly because they are great for opening up both the inner and outer leg line, as well as requiring strength/stability from both the anterior and posterior muscles surrounding the spine and core intelligence.

you describe BLY as an 'experiential' class - can you explain in more detail?

Refer to question #1 with this addendum: I usually put a large emphasis on anatomy, alignment, proper form etc, however in BLY I do less of this. I do not break down how to do a specific arm balance, or work into challenging, more advanced binds that might require a strap (we all know grabbing a strap underneath your body is cumbersome enough to do when the lights are on!) It's too dark, and I've created this class to be one that flows with no breaks. I encourage those who want to learn some of the more advances asanas to continue to take my other classes, and come to BLY with the expectation of flowing with ease and grace. I also encourage students to move outside of the boundaries of my sequence if they are craving a variation of what I'm offering.

how do you want people to feel after a session?

Can I say the word ‘orgasm’ on here?! Basically, like they've just had the longest one of those of their lives. After BLY I want people to feel like they're floating. Like they've just left planet earth for 90 minutes and returned a better, calmer, more patient version of themselves.

how do you go about sequencing to music - is this something you plan in advance and is each class different in this respect?

I always plan! It makes me a better teacher and it also allows me to entertain my creative side. Every Monday I prepare for the week ahead by spending a handful of hours creating a sequence, which first consists of me deciding on a peak pose or theme, and then turns into me rolling around my living room floor making something creative, fun, and smart to offer my students. After the sequence is in the books, I decide what energy the jams should provide based on what I'm teaching. I spend a lot of time searching, buying, and organizing music.

how do you feel the music enhances people's understanding of the asanas?

Music, in my opinion, doesn't enhance people's understanding of the asana, but instead allows people to feel more. I'm not interested in arguing whether or not music should be used in yoga for X,Y,Z reasons. If chosen with thought, music can enhance the entire experience. As many of us know, listening to music releases dopamine; a feel good chemical in the brain. Try doing eight Sun A's with no music. Then try doing eight Sun A's with an incredible song of your choice. They're both right. You decide. That's the beauty of choice.

how do you conceptualise your play lists?

The vibe of BLY changes based on the music tempo. Some play lists are much more chill, electronic with less beats per minute, while others are much louder, have more dub step remixes, and more bass. It varies weekly, but the formula behind the creation is constant. Stick with a tempo theme. Start chill, build, peak, and then eventually come back down. Remember...orgasm.

how do you find new music?

Everywhere! iTunes genius, youtube music channels (specifically ‘majestical’), hypemachine, Pandora, my boyfriend's old school records and advice on what's hot. Also, students often email me with their fave jams. I always appreciate that.

finally, what works best and what definitely doesn't work?

What works? Refer to all of the questions above. What does not work? Teaching intricate, advanced poses in the dark with a play list that is all over the map with no rhyme or reason. Plan. Execute. Repeat.

Want to try out Goldie's infamous class? See her schedule and book it: do it now do it now do it now!

]]>http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-doing-it-in-the-dark/feed/11ruby’s tuesday | sign of a good sweathttp://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-astro-workout/
http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-astro-workout/#commentsTue, 13 Aug 2013 13:00:23 +0000http://blogadmin.lululemon.com/community/blog/?p=43188Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is the writer at the forefront of it all.

Ruby is a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous. Best of all, Ruby will be our feature writer for the lululemon blog. Here she digs deeper on the vegan secret supper club.

I confess, I’m a total astrology geek, and at the end of July I headed to Tulum on a ‘Become Your Own Astrologer’ retreat with my favourite star sisters Tali and Ophira Edut, a.k.a. the Astro Twins.

In between Mayan mud bathing rituals and Qoya dance classes, we spent two hours every day learning how to read and decipher our birth charts, as well as those of the people we love (or maybe don’t get along so well with) – my idea of heaven.

Of course, with fitness on the brain as usual, my newfound astro knowledge also got me thinking about what workouts will be most motivating for each sign. Over to you, twins…

aries

As the zodiac’s warrior, you will be motivated by anything that’s strenuous and challenges you to push yourself beyond your edge. You love to continually be in awe of your own expansion and capabilities, so skip the slow and steady Hatha yoga class, and try a high-energy cardio session with some martial arts or boxing moves thrown in. Add in a pumping soundtrack, visualise yourself beating up the bad guys in your life (including the ones in your head: a.k.a. negative thoughts) and it'll be a case of Rocky, who? But as Aries rules the head, if you find yourself sparring with a partner for real don't forget your helmet.

taurus

Boot-camp style classes were made for no-nonsense Taurus. Although you have your lazy lounging days, when you're ready to work, you go at it hard! Plus you love to see results from your steady efforts (wax on, wax off, Bull!). And, as the ruler of the throat, letting rip a healthy yell will help you power on through to the end of each set. Results-driven Taurus will also be drawn in by the claims of classes like Barry's Bootcamp (1,000 calories an hour!), and the structure of the Insanity workout. 60-days to a brand new you? Show me the dotted line.

gemini

Gregarious Gemini, you're a die-hard people person. Socializing is your favorite motivator, so let that extend to your fitness regime and you'll get in the best shape ever. You could ping a friend to be your gym or yoga buddy (provided she gives more than your ear a workout). Tennis and other two-person sports do you well too; you might even try a relay race. You do especially when with a trainer too, someone dedicated to your accountability who can also listen to you talk through (the way you process) your blocks to progress.

cancer

As a water sign, any pool-based workout will appeal to you. You're often the center of your social circle, so gather a few of your girls together for an aqua aerobics class. Sporty Cancers might even join a water polo or H2O volleyball class. If you want your workout to incorporate some alone time, the twisting motion of swimming strokes could be useful for your sensitive digestion, while jogging in place and even doing crunches while feeling perfectly weightless will strengthen your lungs. Then, make a splash on dry land with your lean, mean swimmer’s body.

leo

Let the good times roll...over into your workout with any kind of dance-based class, perfect for Leo for whom life is a nonstop excuse to celebrate! If exercise feels like a fiesta, you won't even notice that you're exerting yourself: the perfect way to burn, baby, burn. A Zumba workout, the self-proclaimed “fitness party” moves to your lionhearted beat, while any class that replicates the moves from your favourite music videos (by fellow Leo Madonna, or Jennifer Lopez perhaps?) will also get you energized. Since your sign rules the back, be sure to stretch before and after!

virgo

The core region is Virgo’s domain, so a workout that targets this area of your body will also strengthen your inner resolve. While Pilates can do wonders, Virgos also love yoga, especially modalities with specific health benefits and repeating postures for you to perfect. You'll notice the nuances and love being able to master each asana as you develop a practice. Bonus if you can do those poses outdoors, as being an earth sign, fresh air is always a great component to add in. Otherwise, choose a studio with gorgeous views, natural light and wood flooring.

libra

As the sign that rules beauty, Libra’s workout buttons will be pressed by anything that makes you feel gorgeous and graceful. Why not use your body to create lovely forms and postures while burning calories? Try Barre or any kind of dance class. If you're so-inclined (and not afraid of heights), and with your need for balance, you could become a master of the trapeze, swinging through the air and tantalizing with your lovely form. And never forget that Libra also rules the posterior region, (hello, Kim Kardashian) so a shapely bum is your birth right. That should be motivation enough to get moving!

scorpio

As the zodiac’s sex symbol, working out always gets your mojo revving—what with all the seductive endorphins and serotonin flooding your body. And while a pole-dancing workout will obviously appeal to the siren in you, your inner spirit junkie (cue fellow Scorpio, May Cause Miracles author Gabrielle Bernstein) might like to weave in the sacred element of Kundalini yoga. Hello, second chakra breath work! Scorpio also rules the sex organs, so you were born to be mistress of the 'mula bunda', or root lock. Squeeze it up!

sagittarius

Some like it hot, especially fire sign Sagittarius who can survive (and thrive) in a sweltering heated yoga session. You're the zodiac's philosopher, but this is one workout that can help you turn your brain OFF for a minute—a blessed relief – and, as ruler of the liver, you’ll also respond well to the detoxifying properties that sweating can bring. Since you love to discover new terrain, urban hikes—or ones in nature—are also right up your alley. But set your watch, you might get so carried away you forget to come home for dinner!

capricorn

The zodiac’s mountain goat loves any sort of ambitious ascent, as well as a workout that gives you a feeling of true progress and accomplishment. So whether indoors or out, give rock climbing a try. Not only will you love the challenge, should you struggle and fall, you’ll pick yourself back up and try again…something your sign is all about. Never satisfied, with just "good enough," you might also try a competitive sport, one you can slowly but surely master with regular training and practice. But always watch your knees, a Capricorn weak spot.

aquarius

Running for a cause is right up humanitarian Aquarius's street, so track down a running club dedicated to notching up miles for charity and raising funds. Humanitarian spirit? Check. Love of people? Check, check, check. And if putting in all those hours of training gets repetitive, feed your imaginative side and need for social stimulus with a team sport. Join a soccer or softball league, become part of a dance troupe. As long as you can bring your individual flair to the team, you'll be in your element!

pisces

As the ballerina of the zodiac, you’ll feel right at home in Mary Ellen Bowers' Ballet Beautiful class (but watch your sensitive feet if you go up en pointe), while your inner fish will also love the water-based version - so get online to find your local synchronised swimming troupe. Dreamy Pisces need lots of meditative moments to stay balanced, and lap swimming helps you zone out in your private world. Pop on the goggles to get back in the flow and soothe your often turbulent moods. The world will look much brighter after you've emerged from the pool.

]]>http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-astro-workout/feed/1ruby’s tuesday | vegan secret supper clubhttp://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-vegan-secret-supper-club/
http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-vegan-secret-supper-club/#commentsTue, 06 Aug 2013 16:19:32 +0000http://blogadmin.lululemon.com/community/blog/?p=43076Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is the writer at the forefront of it all.

Ruby is a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous. Best of all, Ruby will be our feature writer for the lululemon blog. Here she digs deeper on the vegan secret supper club.

As a vegetarian, BBQ season can mean endless rounds of grilled halloumi sandwiched in a bun with a limp lettuce leaf and soggy slice of tomato. Delicious - not. And as for vegan choices, we’re pretty much down to a plate of potato salad – so long as it isn’t drenched in mayo.

Which is when you wish you were bringing along chef Merida Anderson as your plus one.

The Vancouver native has been hosting pop-up restaurant the Vegan Secret Supper Club for the past five years, out of her home in Brooklyn, NY, and select locations in Montreal and VC, and published her first book of recipes earlier this year. A former fashion designer, Merida has been fully vegan for 13 years and, as she puts it; “as a vegan you’re going to want to like cooking, or there won’t be much for you to eat!”

Her approach to BBQs is pretty much BYOV – Bring Your Own Veg. After all; “A vegetable is most flavourful when it’s roasted, and a BBQ only intensifies that.” As for what to bring, “really, the only thing that hinders a vegetable from going on a grill is it’s size - otherwise you can BBQ anything.”

Corn – “out of the husk” – is a favourite; “just brush it with a marinade of chillies, lemon and a some olive oil, and grill it until it’s a little caramelized and charred. Asparagus is really nice too, dressed the same way.” She’s also a fan of cauliflower steaks, which can be cooked directly on the grill with some smoke chips added to the coals for an extra kick.

For something more substantial, Merida suggests adapting a recipe for sweet potato fritters from her book, which are designed to be served with roasted pineapple, an apple tamarind chutney and / or a coconut sour cream (“actually one of my favourite recipes – it goes with everything.”) To ensure the burgers work on the grill, make sure it’s nicely oiled and that the fritters themselves are chilled to firm. The pineapple can also be sliced length-ways and cooked straight on the grill.

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients with a wooden spoon until well incorporated. Use your hands, if needed, to combine ingredients. Preheat and generously oil a frying pan or griddle on medium. Use ¼ cup (60 ml) batter to form patties or
fritters about ½ -in (1-cm) thick. Grill on each side for five minutes.

roasted pineapple

In a bowl, gently toss pineapple with coconut oil, red pepper flakes, tamari, and lime juice. On a clean grill, sear each side of the pineapple strips until griddle marks appear and the marinade begins to caramelize.

If using whole tamarind, which comes in a condensed brick, soak in ½ cup (125 mL) boiling water for 10 minutes and strain out seeds before adding to recipe.
In a medium pot on medium-high, heat oil.

Add shallots and saute until translucent. Add apples, red pepper flakes, and cumin and cook for another two minutes, stirring constantly. Add tamarind, tamari, maple syrup, and water and let simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat. In a blender or food processor, or with an immersion blender, blend chutney until smooth. Be careful when blending hot liquids.

Pour into jars while hot and process in a water bath if you are planning to store the chutney long-term. Unprocessed, it will keep in a well-sealed glass container in for up to two weeks.

]]>http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-vegan-secret-supper-club/feed/3ruby’s tuesday | run dem crewhttp://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-run-dem-crew/
http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-run-dem-crew/#commentsTue, 30 Jul 2013 13:00:04 +0000http://blogadmin.lululemon.com/community/blog/?p=42625Whether it's interviewing Lady Gaga, unveiling the latest trends in fashion, or getting under the skin of our most neurotic social trends, Ruby Warrington is the writer at the forefront of it all.

Ruby is a British lifestyle writer and the celebrated creator of the blog The Numinous. As if that's not impressive enough, she's also a regular writer for the Sunday Times Style in the UK and numerous other publications.

Best of all, Ruby will be our feature writer for the lululemon blog.

Every Tuesday evening, a pack of some 200 renegade runners takes to the mean streets of London as part of writer, DJ and poet Charlie Dark’s Run Dem Crew.

“We tend to attract people who don’t like too many rules, but the group reflects the true diversity of London,” says Charlie, who founded the club in 2007 when what began as a Friday night run with a handful of friends started to feel like something he wanted to share with “as many people as possible.”

Today, he describes the Crew as “like family – I don’t run with strangers,” while people sign on every three months as a new “season” (culminating in a particular race) gets underway.

Meanwhile, RDC Youngers was established to introduce the next generation to the physical and mental discipline of training for a big race. Describing the road as “a great leveller,” for some less privileged kids this can be huge.

“My marathon time is faster than P Diddy’s,” explains Charlie. “And for these young people it’s important to see that it’s not about the size of your bank account. If you put in the training you will excel.” Adult members who sign up also need to know “they’re signing up to mentor our kids too.”

Naturally, “there are plenty of emotional moments in RDC!” while partnerships with running crews as far flung as Tokyo and New York City mean members are never far from a tribe of like-minded urban athletes. And then there are the movie nights Charlie hosts for his extended Run Dem family. Here, he selects three of his favourite films to inspire you to get your pace on too.

charlie's favourite films for runners

Chariots of Fire

“I’m going to include this, because it’s a really good example of an important aspect of sport that often gets overlooked. Sport without music is just a game, but as soon as you add a soundtrack, you have an emotional experience. Chariots of Fire is one of those films that really nails that notion on the head.”

Spirit of the Marathon

“This is about a group of people training for the Chicago marathon. Some are non-runners, but it follows a load of elite guys too so you get a real perspective on the gamut of people who participate. I watch it religiously before we run any marathon to get my mind ready.”

Jewel in the Sun

“This is actually a YouTube video about Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley running the Boston marathon. It’s from 1981, and it sums up the story of their rivalry. They’re battling it out, and in the last mile, Dick summons the strength to surge past Alberto when a police motorbike cuts passed him and he’s stopped in his tracks, losing the race. Again, this is another running film with an amazing soundtrack.”

]]>http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-run-dem-crew/feed/0ruby’s tuesday: sweating with patricia morenohttp://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-sweating-with-patricia-moreno/
http://lululemon.com/community/blog/rubys-tuesday-sweating-with-patricia-moreno/#commentsTue, 23 Jul 2013 17:00:23 +0000http://blogadmin.lululemon.com/community/blog/?p=42213
My fitness obsession this year has been Patricia Moreno’s intenSati method, which combines spoken affirmations with a hard core, tightly choreographed cardio set. By the end of class, I am dripping with sweat and feel ready to achieve anything I put my mind to.

Patricia developed the workout based on the philosophy that exercise can be a powerful force for positive change in every area of life, and she is without doubt one of the most inspiring group fitness instructors I have ever trained with.

Last week, Patricia kicked off a four-week Love Your Body telecourse, a combination of nutritional, physical, mental and spiritual counselling designed to shift negative patterns around diet, exercise and body image.

And it’s not too late to join in! A weekly call at 9pm ET will be supplemented with downloadable workouts, as well as recorded guided meditations and spiritual teachings.

So how does the lady herself maintain her A-game? I caught up with Patricia between classes to get the low-down on her personal regime.

How many classes do you teach per week?
Usually eight or nine

Do you feel the need for your own workout also?
Yes, because when I’m teaching my focus is on my students and creating an empowering experience for them. I love SoulCycle for the intense cardio, and because it’s a time for me to just be a student instead of being in charge. I also do yoga, and I have a trainer at Equinox who works me with kettle bells and keeps me up to date on new functional training methods, as well as pushes me to do things I don't like to do on my own - like pull-ups!

Are you a morning or an evening kind of gal?
I like the morning, right before or after I teach because it is easier to fit everything in if I do it all at the same time.

What do you eat in a typical day?
Breakfast is a shake or juice, or whole grain bread with nut butter. Then my morning snack is a green juice and wheat grass shot, and lunch is salad, or veggies and brown rice. Dinner is usually the same as lunch, or another shake.

Do you take any supplements?
I take SAM - e for my joints and I take a USANA multi vitamin. I never used to take supplements, but I started when I was pregnant and felt better for it.

Who is your fitness guru, and what's the most important lesson they taught you?
John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga, who I love. He taught me to put heart into my practice, and was a big inspiration in my creating of the intenSati method. I felt that everyone should learn how to put heart into what they do, in every area of their life.

How do you workout when you travel?
I always book a hotel with a gym, and I like to look for local classes to try new things.

How do you get motivated on days when you're just not feeling it?
I listen to music I love, or I book classes ahead of time and make myself go. But I try not to let my feelings determine whether I go or not.

What fitness goal are you currently working towards?
I have let go of consistently weight training, and I’ve lost muscle tone so I’m on a mission to get my arms back in shape!

Was there anything you didn't achieve, and how did you get over it?
Oh certainly. But not reaching goals is sometimes a better lesson. I realized in the long run it didn't matter as much as I thought it did, or in some cases I realized that I wasn't as devoted to it as I needed to be.

What was the most extreme fitness challenge you ever undertook?
I competed in aerobics championships at national level, and the incredible stamina, strength and flexibility it took to compete at that level had me training up to six hours a day.

And the most eye-opening, mind-expanding fitness experience?
Definitely studying to be a yoga instructor. The physiology and spiritual teachings opened my heart and mind. It also led me to begin a meditation practice, which has changed my life.

What's the one thing you wish everybody knew about fitness?
That it’s better than any anti-depressant to lift your spirit and is not simply a tool to lose weight. With regular exercise, especially vigorous exercise, you can have a profound experience that connects you more deeply to your true self. Exercise is one of my spiritual practices.